Biometric capture of banks’ customers begins Feb 14 —CBN

THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday, said
that biometric capturing of banks’ customers
across the country will commence on February 14.
The project is expected to start with the CBN and
two branches each from 10 banks go live on the
biometric project portal.
The apex bank also said that the Bankers’
Committee is working in collaboration with the
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC)
on the integration of the biometric data to be
acquired from Bank customers.
Director, Corporate Communications Department,
CBN, Mr. Ugochukwu Okoroafor and his
counterpart in the Banking and Payment Systems,
T.O. Fatokun, said this while fielding questions
from journalists in Abuja. The duo dispelled claims
that the biometric project, which was a collective
decision of the Bankers’ Committee, contradicted
directives of the Federal Government on the
proliferation of data bases in the country.
Okoroafor said, “The Bankers’ body is working
assiduously with the NIMC to integrate both
systems for the overall good of the country in her
quest to rank among the top economies of the
world within the current decade.”
On the allegation that Dermalog, the company to
which the biometric capture contract was awarded,
is bankrupt, Fatokun reiterated that the German
firm was not bankrupt. He explained that the Bank
that advised the Committee gave a Due Diligence
Report, which did not identify any encumbrance in
the financials of the company.
He wondered why such a report could be
published on a matter of crucial national
importance; even after the reporter had been
shown evidence that Dermalog was an active and
capable company with proven competence in the
relevant area.
He also emphasized that the presence of the
German Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Dorathee
Janeteke-Wenzkel at the contract signing
ceremony lent credence and weight to the
credibility of the company.

Source: Vanguard News